This week, there are several opportunities to celebrate school spirit. Today is Green Thursday (wear green and recycle at school and at home), as well as Back to School Night. Pajama and Crazy Sock Day is tomorrow. See below for more details.
PTA News
Pajama Day - with Crazy Socks Tomorrow
Typically on the last Friday of the month, the PTA hosts Pajama Day. Students and teachers may wear their pajamas to school tomorrow. And this month, participants can chose to wear crazy socks instead of or in addition to their PJs.
Everyone can get in on the fun tomorrow. Those who chose to may send in a monetary donation to support entertaining and educational events like Fall Fest, Literature Night, and Field Day. The class with the most donations wins an end of year pizza party.
Students may send us ideas for future Pajama Day alternatives. Maybe next time, we'll use your idea!
Afterschool Clubs
Registration for the Lego Robotics after-school club is now closed. Thanks for your interest. Hope Riley has contacted families that got a spot. Melissa Pound will be in touch soon with everyone about Music Makers Club, as well. Thanks for your patience. These awesome PTA members juggle a lot of responsibilities to make great after-school clubs happen. If we received your registration after the clubs filled, we'll return it to you via your child's homeroom teacher.
Giant A+ Rewards
Welcome to the start of a new school year and A+ School Rewards. Beginning October 9th through March 17th, Westowne Elementary School (#01581) will have the opportunity to earn cash through Giant's program.
All you have to do is:
• Log on to designate our school online using your Giant card, OR
• Call the A+ Hotline at 1-877-275-2758 for assistance.
As of this year, coordinators can no longer collect and register card numbers. Take just a moment to designate Westowne on your account. Even share this information with friends and family who can do the same.
Class Directories
BCPS policy does not allow parents to distribute materials (including sending birthday invitations and other personal communication) through the school. If you would like the opportunity to communicate with fellow parents, please provide your contact information. The lists will then be compiled by a PTA room parent volunteer and shared with parents/guardians within your child's class.
Again, opting-in to the class directory is the only way your child may send or receive invitations from classmates. Complete the form that was sent home in your child's folder or quickly complete this online directory form.
Room Parents
Room parents support the homeroom teachers by meeting occasional needs like coordinating donations and volunteers for classroom events. The PTA may also periodically request that you complete a task for your child's class, like assisting with the class directory.
If you are interested in being a room parent, send us an email. After we confirm with you, take a moment to contact your teacher. Let them know that you have volunteered to be the room parent and ask if anyone else has accepted that position. In some cases, there might already be someone who has stepped forward. It is a first come, first serve position.
We hope no one minds our overzealous offers of support. Just let us know if we need to add a previously designated room parent to our list.
Boundary Committee
The Southwest Area Boundary Committee had its first meeting last week. Information and the meeting video may be found online.
In order for parents and community members to provide feedback to Westowne's Boundary Committee representatives, we have created a devoted email address: westowneboundary@gmail.com.
Westowne's representatives include the following
Our parent/community representatives will review the emails weekly. Please note that they are limited in what they can tell you to the facts they have been given in their committee binders and to the content publicly discussed at the meetings. They cannot speculate outcomes or promote specific agendas. This email account is primarily a way you can assure the members are apprised of your concerns. They want to hear from you, while being limited by the constraints of the Boundary Committee.
The content discussed via email will be available to all of the Westowne committee members and the PTA board. The content may be used as deemed appropriate and beneficial to Westowne and the greater SW area.
The next Boundary Committee meeting will be held Wednesday, September 30th at 6:00 at Catonsville High School. Only committee representatives may participate at this meeting, but interested community members may attend to observe.
Fall Fest Update
Fall Fest games are a go! Two huge Jenga games, a football toss, and a bean bag game. Thanks so much to Westowne parents Hope, Philip, Matt, China, and Adam for spending Sunday building and painting!
School News
Back to School Night
Today, September 24th, 6:30 - 8:30 pm
Join us for presentations from BCPS, the principal, and the teachers, as well as the general membership meeting and budget vote for the PTA. Afterward, come to the cafe for refreshments, join the PTA, and buy spirit wear.
Words to the Wise
Check out the first Words to the Wise newsletter from Mr. Palmer and the faculty. In this issue, you'll find valuable information about the happenings at school, including construction updates, the MAPS testing schedule, information about the school's counseling program, how to complete the annual volunteer training online, and much more.
Battle of the Books
Last year, 16 of Westowne's 4th and 5th graders participated in BCPL-Catonsville's first Battle of the Books. Westowne will compete again this year. The team needs 4th and 5th grade students who enjoy reading, like to demonstrate what they know, and can make a six month commitment to the team. Ms. Johnson, our school librarian, will host an information session next month. Sign up online for more information.
Drama Club
Congratulations to the cast of the Wizard of Oz!
Community News
Baltimore Book Festival
The Baltimore Book Festival features hundreds of author appearances and book signings, cooking demos by celebrity chefs, storytellers and hands-on projects for kids, street theater and music, and a delicious variety of food and drinks.
This Friday, September 25th, through Sunday, September 27th, 11:00 - 7:00
CCB Under the Big Top
The Columbia Concert Band is hosting a free concert for kids and their families at River Hill High School, including a musical instrument "Petting Zoo." No tickets are required.
This Sunday, September 27th at 2:00
Westowne in the News
Committee Takes First Step for Rezoning Catonsville and Arbutus Area Schools
PTA News
Pajama Day - with Crazy Socks Tomorrow
Typically on the last Friday of the month, the PTA hosts Pajama Day. Students and teachers may wear their pajamas to school tomorrow. And this month, participants can chose to wear crazy socks instead of or in addition to their PJs.
Everyone can get in on the fun tomorrow. Those who chose to may send in a monetary donation to support entertaining and educational events like Fall Fest, Literature Night, and Field Day. The class with the most donations wins an end of year pizza party.
Students may send us ideas for future Pajama Day alternatives. Maybe next time, we'll use your idea!
Afterschool Clubs
Registration for the Lego Robotics after-school club is now closed. Thanks for your interest. Hope Riley has contacted families that got a spot. Melissa Pound will be in touch soon with everyone about Music Makers Club, as well. Thanks for your patience. These awesome PTA members juggle a lot of responsibilities to make great after-school clubs happen. If we received your registration after the clubs filled, we'll return it to you via your child's homeroom teacher.
Giant A+ Rewards
Welcome to the start of a new school year and A+ School Rewards. Beginning October 9th through March 17th, Westowne Elementary School (#01581) will have the opportunity to earn cash through Giant's program.
All you have to do is:
• Log on to designate our school online using your Giant card, OR
• Call the A+ Hotline at 1-877-275-2758 for assistance.
As of this year, coordinators can no longer collect and register card numbers. Take just a moment to designate Westowne on your account. Even share this information with friends and family who can do the same.
Class Directories
BCPS policy does not allow parents to distribute materials (including sending birthday invitations and other personal communication) through the school. If you would like the opportunity to communicate with fellow parents, please provide your contact information. The lists will then be compiled by a PTA room parent volunteer and shared with parents/guardians within your child's class.
Again, opting-in to the class directory is the only way your child may send or receive invitations from classmates. Complete the form that was sent home in your child's folder or quickly complete this online directory form.
Room Parents
Room parents support the homeroom teachers by meeting occasional needs like coordinating donations and volunteers for classroom events. The PTA may also periodically request that you complete a task for your child's class, like assisting with the class directory.
If you are interested in being a room parent, send us an email. After we confirm with you, take a moment to contact your teacher. Let them know that you have volunteered to be the room parent and ask if anyone else has accepted that position. In some cases, there might already be someone who has stepped forward. It is a first come, first serve position.
We hope no one minds our overzealous offers of support. Just let us know if we need to add a previously designated room parent to our list.
Boundary Committee
The Southwest Area Boundary Committee had its first meeting last week. Information and the meeting video may be found online.
In order for parents and community members to provide feedback to Westowne's Boundary Committee representatives, we have created a devoted email address: westowneboundary@gmail.com.
Westowne's representatives include the following
- Chris Burke, community member
- Kecia Johnson, parent
- Lisa Musacchio, teacher
- Scott Palmer, principal
Our parent/community representatives will review the emails weekly. Please note that they are limited in what they can tell you to the facts they have been given in their committee binders and to the content publicly discussed at the meetings. They cannot speculate outcomes or promote specific agendas. This email account is primarily a way you can assure the members are apprised of your concerns. They want to hear from you, while being limited by the constraints of the Boundary Committee.
The content discussed via email will be available to all of the Westowne committee members and the PTA board. The content may be used as deemed appropriate and beneficial to Westowne and the greater SW area.
The next Boundary Committee meeting will be held Wednesday, September 30th at 6:00 at Catonsville High School. Only committee representatives may participate at this meeting, but interested community members may attend to observe.
Fall Fest Update
Fall Fest games are a go! Two huge Jenga games, a football toss, and a bean bag game. Thanks so much to Westowne parents Hope, Philip, Matt, China, and Adam for spending Sunday building and painting!
School News
Back to School Night
Today, September 24th, 6:30 - 8:30 pm
- For 3rd to 5th grade parents and caregivers
- 5th grade parents, come to the cafe to meet up with the PTA's 5th Grade Committee. Pitch in to help with fundraising and event planning for your child's last year at Westowne.
Join us for presentations from BCPS, the principal, and the teachers, as well as the general membership meeting and budget vote for the PTA. Afterward, come to the cafe for refreshments, join the PTA, and buy spirit wear.
Words to the Wise
Check out the first Words to the Wise newsletter from Mr. Palmer and the faculty. In this issue, you'll find valuable information about the happenings at school, including construction updates, the MAPS testing schedule, information about the school's counseling program, how to complete the annual volunteer training online, and much more.
Battle of the Books
Last year, 16 of Westowne's 4th and 5th graders participated in BCPL-Catonsville's first Battle of the Books. Westowne will compete again this year. The team needs 4th and 5th grade students who enjoy reading, like to demonstrate what they know, and can make a six month commitment to the team. Ms. Johnson, our school librarian, will host an information session next month. Sign up online for more information.
Drama Club
Congratulations to the cast of the Wizard of Oz!
Community News
Baltimore Book Festival
The Baltimore Book Festival features hundreds of author appearances and book signings, cooking demos by celebrity chefs, storytellers and hands-on projects for kids, street theater and music, and a delicious variety of food and drinks.
This Friday, September 25th, through Sunday, September 27th, 11:00 - 7:00
CCB Under the Big Top
The Columbia Concert Band is hosting a free concert for kids and their families at River Hill High School, including a musical instrument "Petting Zoo." No tickets are required.
This Sunday, September 27th at 2:00
Westowne in the News
Committee Takes First Step for Rezoning Catonsville and Arbutus Area Schools
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